Expectations for the Synod of Bishops are high. In three weeks, they are to discuss current challenges for families – a tightrope walk between law and mercy.
In order to make the best possible use of the limited time available at the synod, the deliberations are to be more ie-centered this time around. Instead of a broad factual debate, in which all aspects of the topic were discussed from the beginning according to an unfiltered list of speakers, this time the party wants to concentrate on one of the three main topics each week: On today's challenges for the family, then on the Church's statements on the family, and finally on the vocation and mission of the family in the Church and the world. This third part – in the last week of the synod – also deals with accompaniment in difficult situations, with failed marriages as well as with a communion reception for remarried divorcees and homosexuality.
"Rampant individualism"
Each of the three thematic blocks begins with an address by Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary. As the Synod's rapporteur, he once again summarized the statements and results of a worldwide survey that had been compiled in advance in the "working paper". The first step is to analyze the situation of the family in the 21st century. Century. The findings: rampant individualism impairs family ties and leads to each family member considering himself or herself an island. Only a minority of people today support the Church's teaching on marriage and the family. The number of marriages is declining in many countries, while the number of separations and divorces is increasing. At the same time, there is a growing fear among young people of making definitive commitments to founding a family. Furthermore, the development of the consumer society has separated sexuality and procreation and led to a decline in births. But the influence of gender theory and an increasing equality of couple relationships regardless of gender should also be included in the debate.
Further, it is about the impact of socio-economic change on families. Poverty leads to exclusion. Unemployment, housing shortages, inadequate wages and unequal educational opportunities put a strain on families, he said. To overcome all this, "a structural change of perspective is required on the part of society," the working paper demanded – with high expectations for family policy.
Focusing on the last stage of life
The key social data also include the demographic development with a growing number of older people. They could be used more as a link between the generations, especially since grandparents often have the task of passing on the faith. The church must also face the challenges of widowhood and focus more on the last stage of life.
The Synod is also to discuss the challenges to families posed by migration as a result of war, poverty and persecution. The very different living conditions of women worldwide are on the list of topics here. Emancipation in Western countries requires a renewed reflection on the tasks of spouses in their joint responsibility for family life. In developing countries, exploitation and violence against women are often accompanied by forced abortions and forced sterilizations, the working paper points out.
Consider all situations
Pastoral care must take into account the plurality of family situations and life paths. In addition to preparing young people for marriage, it must also accompany those who do not start a family. It must take care of couples who cannot have children. But the phenomenon of the "distant" will also be discussed. These are "not the excluded or marginalized," but the people the church must care for with its pastoral ministry. The church should consider that their distance from church life was often caused by the behavior of third parties.
Whether the concept that the synod members actually concentrate their speeches on the respective weekly topic will work depends also on the direction of the four presidents who lead the church forum on behalf of the pope.